Has the Coaching Industry Killed Mentorship?
Jessica Millhiser
Speaker | Business Consultant & Strategist | Together, let's build a solid foundation for your business
I have been thinking A LOT about this lately. I remember being in high school and college and one of the things that was often recommended was, find a mentor. Build a relationship with someone you can learn from, create community.
Now, there are MANY opportunities for community out there - especially for women in business. And that is absolutely fantastic and I am so grateful. However, I have noticed that there is seemingly a lack of mentors available. Is it just me? Have you noticed this as well? Has this even crossed your mind? Is it industry specific? How does one even find a mentor these days?
Has the coaching industry killed mentorship?
Think about it. There are literally coaches everywhere you look - business coaches, life coaches, health coaches, C-Suite coaches; the list goes on! People are leaving corporate jobs and more "traditional" jobs to do their own thing - myself included, honestly - though I am a consultant and not a coach - just to be clear. But mentorship, it seems, has now become a profession.
So my point is this. How do we find a mentor, or create a relationship with someone that could be a mentor if they make their living as a coach, or even a consultant, for that matter? Because let's be honest, hiring a professional mentor is definitely an investment, and maybe not everyone has the funds to do so. So then does that mean that these individuals are left without a mentor? And then that just is what that is?
And that's not to say that these professionals don't deserve to get paid for their knowledge and their services, but the question still stands - does that mean mentorship is dead? At least, in the previously defined sense. Maybe mentorship has just shifted. Maybe it's more community based now through networking, masterminds and small group connection. Maybe that's not a bad thing, it's just different. But is this as effective for those without the cash flow to invest in professional mentorship?
What are your thoughts on this? I'm truly curious.
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Principal Consultant , Mindful Continuous Improvement Strategies, I coach high performing Managers and Supervisors to optimize productivity, efficiency and cost while developing a Change Leader mindset.
10moThis is a great question! I’m just launching my business however I’m open to collaborating in mentoring small businesses to success!! My background is in Lean/Six Sigma/Process Improvement 😃
Leadership Whisperer | Global Impact Multiplier |Executive Coach | Ex-Amazonian| Enneagram Practitioner
1yWhile I hear your point, I disagree that coaching has replaced mentorship. It's important to know which of your tribe is the best resource for you in your career. The way I think about this is in three different categories. 1. Mentors-When you need to know a pathway in a particular career, when you want advice. 2. Sponsors- when you need someone who can speak to your ability in the right circles. Someone to advocate for you. 3. Coaches- When you want to learn something new about yourself and your approach. When you want to challenge yourself to move beyond your current vision to more of a "blue ocean" without the "that doesn't work here" mentality.
I am a business mentor who is both paid for my expertise and skills as a sounding board as well as offer many free resources as well which emerging businesses owners can access. Paid opportunities allow clients to get customized support around their specific requirements and focus on implementation and results. Free resources include a weekly podcast, events which happen several times a month, email newsletter which go out 3 times a week and the opportunity to always reach out with questions which focus on knowledge sharing and insights. Both I hope serve what people need.
Healing-Centered Business Coach for Medical Entrepreneurs | Trauma Energetics Guide | Entrepreneur Connector | Army Medic Veteran | Host of the Starting a Business Simplified Podcast
1yThis is something I have questioned as well. When I was starting out it was really hard to find anyone who was ahead of me that didn't charge for their "mentorship". Once people realized they could charge for their expertise the market changed. It would beautiful if the coaches who are successful would also be a mentor for free from time to time. I plan on including this when my business has taken off. Like the article says when you have low cash flow what do you?